University of Virginia Library


27

Scena Secunda.

Enter Abilqualit, Caropia, and Mesithes, Perilinda.
Car.
No more, my gracious Lord, where real love is
needlesse are all expressions ceremonious:
the amorous Turtles, that at first acquaintance
strive to expresse in murmuring notes their loves,
do when agreed on their affections change
their chirps to billing.

Abil.
And in feather'd arms
incompasse mutually their gawdy necks.

Mes:
How do you like
these love tricks, Perilinda?

Per.
Very well;
but one may sooner hope from a dead man
to receive kindness, than from thee, an Eunuch.
You are the coldest creatures in the bodies,
no snow-balls like you.

Mes.
We must needs, who have not
that which like fire should warm our constitutions,
the instruments of copulation, girle,
our toyes to please the Ladies.

Abil.
Caropia, in your well becoming pity
of my extream afflictions and stern sufferings,
you've shown that excellent mercy as must render
what ever action you can fix on, virtuous.
But Lady, I till now have been your tempter,
one that desired hearing, the brave resistance
you made my brother, when he woo'd your love,
only to boast the glory of a conquest
which seem'd impossible, now I have gain'd it
by being vanquisher, I my self am vanquish'd
your everlasting Captive.

Car.
Then the thraldome
will be as prosperous as the pleasing bondage
of palms, that flourish most when bowd down fastest;
Constraint makes sweet and easie things laborious,
when love makes greatest miseries seem pleasures.
Yet 'twas ambition (Sir) join'd with affection
that gave me up a spoil to your temptations.
I was resolv'd, if ever I did make
a breach on matrimonial faith, 't should be

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with him that was the darling of kind fortune
as well as liberall nature; who possess'd
the height of greatnesse to adorn his beauty;
which since they both conspire to make you happy,
I thought 'twould be a greater sin to suffer
your hopefull person, born to sway this Empire,
in loves hot flames to languish, by refusal
to a consuming feaver, then t'infringe
a vow which ne're proceeded from my heart
when I unwillingly made it.

Abil.
And may break it with confidence, secure from the
least guilt, as if't had only in an idle dream
been by your fancy plighted. Madam, there
can be no greater misery in love,
than separation from the object which
we affect; and such is our misfortune
we must ith'infancy of our desires
breath at unwelcome distance; ith'mean time,
lets make good use of the most precious minuts
we have to spend together.

Car.
Else we were unworthy to be titled lovers; but
I fear loath'd Mura may with swift approach
disturb our happinesse.

Abil.
By my command hee's mustring up our forces.
Yet Mesithes, go you to Abrahen, and with intimations
from us, strengthen our charge. Come my Caropia,
love's wars are harmlesse, for who ere do's yeild,
gains as much honor as who wins the field.